Morse Code Translator
Translate between text and Morse code using the ITU standard. Type text to get dots and dashes, or paste Morse to decode it. Reference chart included.
Text Input
Morse Code Output
Morse Code Input
Text Output
Format:dots (.) and dashes (-) separate letters with a space; separate words with " / "
Morse Code Reference
How to Use This Morse Code Translator
Type or paste text in the top panel to get Morse code. Paste Morse code (dots and dashes) in the bottom panel to decode it back to text. The tool uses the ITU International Morse Code standard — the same one used by amateur radio operators and aviation worldwide.
Morse code notation
This tool uses . for dots and - for dashes. Letters are separated by spaces. Words are separated by / . So "SOS" becomes ... --- ... and "HELLO WORLD" becomes .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -..
What characters are supported?
All 26 English letters (A-Z, case-insensitive), digits 0-9, and common punctuation: period, comma, question mark, exclamation mark, apostrophe, slash, and hyphen. Characters without a Morse equivalent are skipped with a note in the output.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Morse code?
Morse code is a method of encoding text characters as sequences of dots (·) and dashes (—), originally developed for telegraphy in the 1830s and 1840s by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail. Each letter, digit, and some punctuation marks have a unique dot-dash pattern. The International Morse Code (ITU standard) is still used today in aviation, amateur radio, and emergency signaling.
How do I read Morse code?
Each letter is represented by a unique combination of dots (short signals) and dashes (long signals). A dash is three times the length of a dot. There's a short pause between dots and dashes within a character, a longer pause between characters, and an even longer pause between words (represented as '/' in text Morse). Start by memorizing the most common letters: E (.), T (-), A (.-), N (-.), I (..), S (...), O (---).
What is the SOS signal in Morse code?
SOS is ... --- ... (three dots, three dashes, three dots). It was chosen as an international distress signal in 1906 specifically because it's easy to recognize — a distinctive rhythm that stands out from normal communication. Despite popular belief, SOS doesn't officially stand for anything; it was chosen for its simplicity, not as an abbreviation.
Is Morse code still used today?
Yes, in several contexts. Amateur (ham) radio operators still use Morse code and many obtain CW (continuous wave) operating licenses. Aviation navigational aids like VORs broadcast their identifiers in Morse. It's also used in accessibility contexts — some people with severe motor disabilities use Morse code input methods to communicate via switches or eye-tracking devices.
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